Nigeria at 57: Obaseki Approves Release of 70 Prisoners

As part of activities to mark Nigeria’s 57th independence anniversary, Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, yesterday, approved the release of 70 inmates from various prisons across the state.

The 70 inmates to be released have been in prison for a considerable time, some of them not less than two years without trial.

Obaseki said this was a step towards improving the justice delivery system in the state as well as reducing the number of awaiting-trial inmates by 50 percent, which is part of Federal Government’s policy on decongesting prisons.

He, however, stated that the inmates would be sternly cautioned to stay away from crime before they are let go.

At a church service held earlier to mark the independence anniversary, Governor Obaseki, urged Nigerians to be grateful for the opportunity to coexist peacefully in a free nation for 57 years, stressing, “We are united as a nation and poised for greatness.”

The service held at the Christ Embassy Zonal Headquarter, Erediauwa Street, off Ekehuan Road, Benin City, Edo State.

Governor Obaseki said Nigerians have all accepted that we are one indivisible nation and added that the ongoing conversation on restructuring is not one that would divide the nation, but rather enhance its growth and prosperity.

“As a country, we are endowed. The problem is not Nigeria. We only need to change our attitude as a people and the nation will certainly grow and develop and our people will prosper.”

He said, as a people, Nigerians need to be much more productive, as the era of easy oil money is over and to get ahead in the new dispensation, the people must become more productive and enterprising.

Obaseki called on leaders in all spheres of society to go back to their communities and organise their people towards spurring the country to greatness.

The head Pastor of the church, Moses Olayemi, called on Nigerians to always have positive thoughts towards the country, and only make good statements about themselves, no matter how challenging their circumstances may appear to be.

Other government functionaries at the church service include the first lady, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki; the Chief of Staff, Taiwo Akerele; the Special Adviser to the governor on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr Crusoe Osagie; the Commissioner for Art, Culture, Tourism and Diaspora Affairs, Osazee Osemwegie-Ero; Commissioner for Environment, Reginald Okun; Commissioner for Wealth Creation, Cooperatives and Employment, Emmanuel Usoh; Commissioner for youth and Special Duties, Mika Amanokha; Commissioner for Health, David Osifo and APC Women leader, Aisosa Amadasun.

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